Digital Drive: REVIEW: nOrh CD-1 CD Player/Recorder by Branwell

Model:	CD-1
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$799
Description:	Tubed CD Player
Manufacturer URL:	nOrh
Model Picture:	View

Review by Branwell ( A ) on February 10, 2002 at 09:10:17
IP Address: 207.172.180.51

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for the CD-1

Some impressions of the Norh CD-1
I got one of these last month and have been running it constantly for about 2 to 3 weeks.
Over the first 2, the sound changed quite noticeably. It seems to have stabilized, so I am making the assumption that the way it sounds now is about how it will in the long term.
This CD player replaced a Tjob 99 with Superclock and noise stopper and Sony 333.
Where the 333 sounded laid back, it had a deep and wide soundstage with good definition between instruments. The soundstage never really come out in front of the speakers.
While it made most instruments sound good, as in listen able, they never really sounded real.
The Tjob on the other hand was much more forward, even with Amperix tubes.
The soundstage was not as deep and did often come in front of the speakers. This gave the instruments a much larger feelâ€¦somewhat too large in my opinion. The instrument separation was not as defined as the Sony and in general, the sound stage was not all that well focused.
While the Tjob sounded surprisingly good on strings, it really could not deal with wind instruments like flutes.
Overall, some disks sounded good, but the CD players grain in the upper mid, made some that where not so good unlistenable.
Overall, I preferred the Sony.
Enter the Norh CD-1.
I had been looking for a new player for some time and to be honest, was getting extremely frustrated. The only players I liked cost 5K US and up, and I did not want to spend that type of money.
I came across the Norh over the web, liked what they where doing with speakers and though Iâ€™d give the CD-1 a try.
Iâ€™m glad I did.
The CD-1 places the sound stage behind the speakers for the most part, with the occasional foray in front. The instrument separation is better then the above-mentioned players. The depth, is not quite as deep as the Sony, and the whole presentation is not quite as laid back.
Strings sound wonderful, with really good detail in string intonation and good detail with the actual instrument bodies. I.E. you can tell what make of acoustical guitar you are listening to.
Vocals are wonderful, ectâ€¦â€¦â€¦.
Overall, to make a song story short, I am really very happy with this CD player.
There is not any one area where its an obvious letdown and itâ€™s really excellent in many areas.
The CD player is still stock. I plan to try some different tubes just for the heck of it and will probably swap out some of the capacitors, but over all, its so good stock, I donâ€™t feel a burning need to mod it.
Rest of the system.
Norh CD-1
VanDenHul D102 mkIII
Very moded Bottle Head Forplay Preamp.
http://www.bottlehead.com/
VanDenHul D102 mkII
Counterpoint NP100 moded / rebuilt by Altavista.
http://www.altavistaaudio.com/
Very nice hybrid amps
Alphacore mi 2 and 3 biwired
North Creek Rhythm Revelator
http://www.northcreekmusic.com/
If you like ScanSpeak drivers, you might be interested in these speakers.

Branwell

Product Weakness: Does not cost a fortune
Product Strengths: Natural sound

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Altivista Counterpoint np-100
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Bottlehead
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	CD
Speakers:	North Creek Rhythm Revalator
Cables/Interconnects:	VanDenHul / Alphacore
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	All
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 weeks
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Does not cost a fortune
Product Strengths:	Natural sound